On-song Torres silences talk of move from Chelsea to Italy
Published:Chelsea got their Champions League campaign off to the expected winning start against Bayer Leverkusen – but that was only half the story.
The Blues were solid if unspectacular in their 2-0 victory thanks to goals from David Luiz and Juan Mata but, perhaps more importantly for Andres Villas-Boas, Fernando Torres got both assists and looked vaguely like the player they signed from Liverpool.
Torres was in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons prior to kick-off after he allegedly criticised some of his teammates for being too old and too slow.
There had been speculation that a trio of Italian clubs – AC Milan, Juventus and Inter Milan – were chasing the striker.
However, with Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka both the wrong side of 30 and Torres showing glimpses of form (if not goals) it’s hard to see the Blues being tempted by any offers.
Speaking after his maiden Champions League victory, Villas-Boas said: “We had a chat and the situation is solved. The investigation is over.
”You saw the player involved and he put in a good collective performance, like the team did.
”Hopefully these things won’t arise in the group again. If they do, it will be the manager who has to resolve it.”
Villas-Boas clearly had one eye on Chelsea’s weekend game against Manchester United and rested John Terry and Frank Lampard for the clash.
Even with the heartbeat of their team well rested and fully fit, the Blues will still have their work cut out to stop the United juggernaut that’s scored 18 goals in their opening four Premier League games this term.
Chelsea are currently 11/4 to get a win at Old Trafford this Sunday.
